THE bravery, professionalism and commitment of police officers and staff were celebrated at an awards ceremony this week.

Twelve police officers, staff and volunteers from the Buckinghamshire Basic Command Unit were honoured at the Chartridge Centre, near Chesham, on Tuesday night.

Ch Supt Paul Emmings, Buckinghamshire’s police commander, gave awards for outstanding service, as well as exceptional conduct in specific cases and bravery in the face of danger.

In the South Bucks Local Police Area South Bucks PC Matthew Jones, PC Roberta Rivers, a police constable and PCSO Caroline Sampson were all celebrated for “outstanding bravery, professionalism and compassion”.

This was at an incident on December 2 last year when they attended the home address of a man who had threatened to kill himself, saving his life.

Jon Wilmore, neighbourhood watch co-ordinator for Taplow and Dorney, was praised for his commitment to the role over the past six years.

PCSO Vijay Desai was awarded a certificate of achievement for successfully completing the Thames Valley Footdown Fifteen Insight Programme between October 2008 and March 2009.

In the Chiltern area PC Ben Robinson was awarded for “exceptional knowledge and confidence” shown during his involvement in an incident on December 9 - his first day on patrol.

PCSO Tony Churchill was celebrates for his “outstanding commitment to his role as a police community support officer”, with his would in tackling a long-term neighbourhood dispute singled out for praise.

PCSO Lesley Roche won plaudits, again for outstanding commitment to her role, and specifically for her work devising and implementing community initiatives.

In Wycombe LPA a PCSO who cannot be named for operational regions was awarded for her “outstanding commitment” to the role and for research conducted into gangs and gun crime in her own time.

The Chartridge Centre received a Certificate of Partnership Working in recognition of their ongoing commitment to supporting Thames Valley Police.

PC Tom Perry and volunteer Anne Powell were also commended for their work in the Aylesbury LPA.